Seaford in its new role as a holiday resort has a serious obstacle to surmount; the only sea “front” possible is a wide shingle beach separated from the old town by a nondescript stretch of sandy desert; when and if this is filled in or converted into a garden the town should prosper exceedingly, for it has great natural attractions in Seaford Head which rises to the east and in the glorious Down walks within easy distance.  In actual distance by rail it is, next to Brighton, the nearest South Coast resort to London and without doubt has a successful future before it.  It is but little over two miles to the Cuckmere valley past the Roman camp and over the Head.  The views of the “Seven Sisters” and on to Beachy Head from this point are very fine, and the great cliff itself, though much lower, is almost as interesting as the Eastbourne height.  For one thing the wild life of the precipice is more easily studied, the crowds which on most summer days throng the more popular Head are not met with here.  The writer has spent a June morning quite alone but for the myriad birds wheeling around and scolding at his presumption in being there at all.

[Illustration:  SEAFORD HEAD.]

The route now follows the coast road from Newhaven westwards.  From the Portobello coastguard station, four miles from Newhaven Bridge, a road runs across the downs to the beautiful little village of Telscombe, nestling in a secluded combe in the heart of the hills; by-roads and footpaths also lead here by delightful ways from Southease and Piddinghoe.  The church is old and interesting, quite unspoilt by any attempt at restoration; note the beautiful font on a marble platform.

Both here and at Rottingdean the artificial height of the churchyard above the surrounding land will be noticed.  Cobbett’s explanation for this is the obvious but rather gruesome one that dust added to dust has more than doubled the contents of the consecrated ground.  From the comparative heights of the enclosure the author of Rural Rides reckoned the age of the building, a method which made a greater appeal to him than the rule of Norman round or English point.

Rottingdean has lately made a name for itself by reason of its modern literary associations.  Its connexion with William Black and Rudyard Kipling is well known.  Cardinal Manning and Bulwer Lytton both attended a once celebrated school kept here by Dr. Hooker.  Edward Burne-Jones has left a lasting memorial of his association with the place in the beautiful east window of the church which was designed and presented by the artist.  Certain columns in the walls point to the existence of a Saxon building of which these are the remains.  Notice the effect of the tower in its unusual position between chancel and nave.

The village has a deserved place in the national history, as the following account will show:—­